Columns > Annabel Lukins - Both Sides of the Rail

Sharing in the Holidaze and Panic en la Playa

We’ve gotten pretty smart over at Cloud 9 Adventures. First of all, we corner the market for international music events: Jam Cruise will sail for the 11th time this coming January and we will host our 6th Holidaze in December. All events have sold out each year. But now we realize that having back-to-back events allow more bands and fans to experience paradise and it’s easy for us to keep staff and the infrastructure in place for two weeks straight. Win-win for everyone.

This year was PARTICULARILY special as this was the first time we did two events in a row at the gorgeous all-inclusive resort Now Sapphire in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico: Mayan Holidaze directly into Panic en la Playa. And they went off seamlessly.

We already know Mayan Holidaze is a slam-dunk (previously called Caribbean Holidaze in Jamaica) but scoring Widespread Panic was a major accomplishment. The band RARELY does 4-night runs. Plus, the intimacy of 2,000 fans in Mexico was something that has never been done before, nothing even close to it!

So let’s start the story of the event based on a few select photos. Just note, I know you like reading my columns and seeing my photos, but I urge you to experience a Cloud 9 Adventure and see what the buzz is all about. We make dreams come true and I am so proud to be a part of that.

Here’s just a skeleton of the massive stage we build in the middle of the beach. And the sand is SO soft that your feet MELT deep into it. We say “shoes not required!” What other concert promoter says that?

I’ve tried to eat REALLY healthy throughout my pregnancy (I was a mere 3 months in Mexico) so my buddy Pancho made me a green juice every morning and delivered it to me wherever I was in the hotel. The Mexican hospitality is over the top.

This is the most gorgeous hallway I’ve ever seen and I walked it daily. The resort was truly luxurious.

View from outside the enchanted walkway.

Just chillin with one of the coolest guys that God ever created, David Murphy from STS9. I’m so lucky…my favorite of their song’s is Breathe In and whenever I get the chance to see the band, Dave asked me, “so when do you want to hear your song?” Seriously? Means the world to me!!!

Ugh, I kinda love this photo I took of Aron Magner. The Biscuits were on FIRE in Mexico!

One of my new favorite people, The Polish Ambassador! We carefully choose the support acts for Mayan Holidaze (meaning the Biscuits, Umphrey’s and STS9 are always the headlining bands and we have a few slots for other acts) and this guy tore it up!